After Luino's slightly radical greeting, ...... I went back to my work as a teacher.

"Wow, sir, ...... you're early.
You're a teacher. The innkeepers are making breakfast, so please go to the dining room when you're ready.
Hi, .......

　I couldn't help but smile at the sleepy female student's unenthusiastic reply.
　It seems that many students are weak in the morning, but it helps that they wake up on time to some extent.
　It seems that there are no sluggish students who are woken up by kids like me.
　After breakfast, today was the day for students to decide on their own tasks.
　The range of their activities is determined to some extent, and they are warned not to go outside the town.
　...... The knights guarding the town have been informed of this as well.

(Now, all that remains is ......)

　I glanced at the corner of the dining room.
　The other students are also glancing at you--Iris.
　You can see that the expression on his face is very serious and he is ready to fight immediately.
　I'm sure you've already figured this out before ......, but at times like this, Iris is the type of person whose face shows.
　I'm sure she's following my words and staying alert at all times,......, but she's frightening her classmates.
　Aria, sitting opposite me, sipped her breakfast soup with a slightly sleepy look on her face.
　She does not seem to be the least bit nervous, which is to be expected.
　However, Aria's strangely carefree expression against Iris's spirited expression created a strange atmosphere.
　I sighed and walked over to Iris.

"You don't have to look so scared.
It's okay.　Sir?　Did I look like that?

　Iris was somewhat embarrassed and surprised when I pointed it out. As I thought, she didn't seem to be aware of it.
　To this Iris.

"It's been like this since Dr. Alta left the inn.

　As if to explain, Aria opens her mouth.
　When I left the inn, ...... I guess that's when I was greeted by Luino.
　The way Aria said it, it sounded like she was accusing me as well, but let's just assume she was mistaken.

I'm relieved that you came back without any problems.
"That's true. I'm a teacher, you know.

　I replied and sat down in a chair near them.

That's none of your business. But you are strong and persuasive.
But you're strong and persuasive. So Iris, you've been working hard since this morning to keep your promise to me?
Yes!　No, that's not what I meant. It's just that ...... I'm aware of it.
That's right. Maybe I should apologize for that.
What do you have to apologize for, Mr. Schweizer? ......
"No, it was me who left him in charge while I was gone. But now that I'm here, you can carry on as normal. As long as I'm here, you'll be safe.
...... I'm going to be normal for now, though.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　For Iris, it may be more pleasant to be left in charge.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. But if you keep them on their toes until a time like this, you'll lose your position. ...... Not that I'm concerned about my position.

(It's just that students need to be students as much as possible. ...... That's what it's all about.)

　It is very difficult to convey this.
　After all, I myself have no experience of living a normal student life.

By the way, Iris and Aria, are you two going to be working together today?
We always do. Today we are free to go as we please.

　Iris and Aria have always been a pair, even in the school.
　Of course, it is also common for those who are close to each other to be together in class.
　But of course, they have their own relationships.
　From my point of view, it was exactly the pair here who were conspicuous for their lack of interaction.

So, why don't you hang out with the other students once in a while?
...... That's exactly why some of them can't behave normally when I'm around.

　Iris replied to my words. It's a good idea to keep a distance from the other students. ...... I've urged her to do this a few times, but she seems to be keeping her distance from the other students because of her position.
　...... Aria is not yet in the position of being the daughter of a great nobleman like Iris, so she may be in a position to be accepted more easily by the class.
　It's not just the fact that she's a great noblewoman that keeps her at a distance from her classmates.
　At the bottom of his heart, he probably feels that there is no way to know when and if someone will come after him. This is all in the mind of Iris, though.

(Aiming to be the strongest, huh? I didn't have any friends either.)

　There was a man who called me his friend. But in the end, I never got close to him.
　If you ask me if I could do that now--

(...... Come to think of it, I've never had a friend who was also a friend. There is no need for master and disciple to resemble each other in this way. ......)

　The only difference is that Iris has a best friend, Aria, and a family.


　Perhaps it is because he has the power to stand alongside Iris that he is able to stay here.
　It would be unfair to ask the other students to do the same.

(I also wonder what the students think of Iris.)

　At least, I haven't heard anything bad about Iris.
　If anything, she was the envy of them all--she was overwhelmingly skilled with a sword, and they all looked up to her.
　And for Iris, they are just the ones that she needs to protect. I'm not sure what to make of this, but it's a good idea. ......

It's a great opportunity, as I said yesterday. I think it's also a good opportunity to interact with the other kids in the class. You can do this if you think of it as part of your training.
...... I'll leave that for another time. I'm not in the mood for that right now.

　Iris rejected my words softly. It seems that I am still in my infancy as a teacher.
　Aria gave me a furtive glance, but all I could do was shrug my shoulders.